Pomona Vs Williams

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS got into both yesterday, and we are anxious to see which he picks. He's leaning heavily towards Pomona, but we want him closer at Williams. Nail biter for sure.

Trust me, doing that several hour drive from Boston in the ice and snow will not make Williams feel closer. Pomona has a much nicer vibe among profs and students, but look at the programs in his planned major to compare.

It’s 3.5 hours from Manhattan, door to door, we just drove it and were surprised how easy it was to get to.

Skiing is big at Williams, there is a slope about 20 minutes from campus that the school runs shuttles to and some kids even work ski patrol. I do think kids need to like winter.

I love Southern California but not the Inland empire.

Felt like we were driving to the moon, and this was in the summer. DC decided to focus on the other SLACs due to location. But the academics are certainly fabulous, and every kid has different preferences.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Eph ‘03 here. Remember that reality happens and you might be too stressed/overworked to even take up a tutorial- they’ve improved, but before only 30ish% of students took up tutorial. It also can be extremely taxing not having anywhere to go. Williams is very isolated and as a woman of color growing into herself, I do think it was a bit of a detriment to be so far away from anything of interest.

The math department is very strong. One of Williams’ golden Children up there with Econ. I was an art history major which…had some support, not as much as those majors for sure. Seeing where my class went, if DC wants to be a researcher, head over to Pomona. Most of the math majors in my class ran straight to finance.

Very important consideration. You are likely to not take a tutorial, or not be prepared to take one. Williams is MUCH more pre professional and ivy-like culturally than Pomona, which is closer to Stanford.

Half the kids decide to try a tutorial.

Yes we just toured. Half take one and if you take one, you're very likely to take more than one. Also, a common regret is not taking at least one.

That’s a pitch. Many students wish they hadn’t taken one at all. You do not understand the pressure of a tutorial, nor the preferences of students. You only gave information from fancy brochures.

I graduated from Oxford so I might have some idea? Anyway, the numbers are the numbers. Half the kids take one. And those who take one are more likely than not to take another.

And that has to do with Williams because…? Do you know how all math departments work if you graduate from math at Oxford? Exactly. Please be a bit less insistent on your credentials if they have nothing to do wirh our discussion.

you: You do not understand the pressure of a tutorial, nor the preferences of students. You only gave information from fancy brochures.
me: I graduated from Oxford so I might have some idea?

if you want to change this discussion to the math department at Williams when you were there (when 30% of kids did tutorials so I'm guessing at least 20 years ago now), then sure: please inform us and we will give this dated information the value it deserves.

Me…the alum. You know thank you, because I’m glad to know an Oxford alum is the leading scholar on Williams college and not people who’ve attended themselves. Ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pomona is a great option if you prefer warmer climate.

Pomona is a great option if your kid wants to be suspended for a year by the school president — with no school judicial proceedings whatsoever— after attending a first-ever sit-in as a freshman.

That could happen anywhere now. Kids, beware.

that's scary.

Maybe kids should focus on academics, not protests?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Eph ‘03 here. Remember that reality happens and you might be too stressed/overworked to even take up a tutorial- they’ve improved, but before only 30ish% of students took up tutorial. It also can be extremely taxing not having anywhere to go. Williams is very isolated and as a woman of color growing into herself, I do think it was a bit of a detriment to be so far away from anything of interest.

The math department is very strong. One of Williams’ golden Children up there with Econ. I was an art history major which…had some support, not as much as those majors for sure. Seeing where my class went, if DC wants to be a researcher, head over to Pomona. Most of the math majors in my class ran straight to finance.

Very important consideration. You are likely to not take a tutorial, or not be prepared to take one. Williams is MUCH more pre professional and ivy-like culturally than Pomona, which is closer to Stanford.

I do think Williams is more ivy-like culturally than all of the other SLACS, for the better and for the worse. Its academics are incredibly impressive (there's a reason it's the perpetual #1), yes including the tutorials, but we also detected snobbishness in professors and students we didn't care for. Our student tour guide said the gulf between wealthy and financial-aid kids was problematic and was especially hard to deal with during the long, remote winters. So much to love about it, but DC worried about being happy there. We ended up crossing it off the list. Loved the feel of Pomona and the consortium, especially the opportunity to take classes at Mudd. DC not eager to go that far, and really not a warm-weather kid in general, but there wasn't anything about Pomona we didn't like.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Eph ‘03 here. Remember that reality happens and you might be too stressed/overworked to even take up a tutorial- they’ve improved, but before only 30ish% of students took up tutorial. It also can be extremely taxing not having anywhere to go. Williams is very isolated and as a woman of color growing into herself, I do think it was a bit of a detriment to be so far away from anything of interest.

The math department is very strong. One of Williams’ golden Children up there with Econ. I was an art history major which…had some support, not as much as those majors for sure. Seeing where my class went, if DC wants to be a researcher, head over to Pomona. Most of the math majors in my class ran straight to finance.

Very important consideration. You are likely to not take a tutorial, or not be prepared to take one. Williams is MUCH more pre professional and ivy-like culturally than Pomona, which is closer to Stanford.

I do think Williams is more ivy-like culturally than all of the other SLACS, for the better and for the worse. Its academics are incredibly impressive (there's a reason it's the perpetual #1), yes including the tutorials, but we also detected snobbishness in professors and students we didn't care for. Our student tour guide said the gulf between wealthy and financial-aid kids was problematic and was especially hard to deal with during the long, remote winters. So much to love about it, but DC worried about being happy there. We ended up crossing it off the list. Loved the feel of Pomona and the consortium, especially the opportunity to take classes at Mudd. DC not eager to go that far, and really not a warm-weather kid in general, but there wasn't anything about Pomona we didn't like.

Funny enough, our kid complains about how cold it is all the time. Definitely not a snow cold, but the desert night is very chilly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Eph ‘03 here. Remember that reality happens and you might be too stressed/overworked to even take up a tutorial- they’ve improved, but before only 30ish% of students took up tutorial. It also can be extremely taxing not having anywhere to go. Williams is very isolated and as a woman of color growing into herself, I do think it was a bit of a detriment to be so far away from anything of interest.

The math department is very strong. One of Williams’ golden Children up there with Econ. I was an art history major which…had some support, not as much as those majors for sure. Seeing where my class went, if DC wants to be a researcher, head over to Pomona. Most of the math majors in my class ran straight to finance.

Very important consideration. You are likely to not take a tutorial, or not be prepared to take one. Williams is MUCH more pre professional and ivy-like culturally than Pomona, which is closer to Stanford.

I do think Williams is more ivy-like culturally than all of the other SLACS, for the better and for the worse. Its academics are incredibly impressive (there's a reason it's the perpetual #1), yes including the tutorials, but we also detected snobbishness in professors and students we didn't care for. Our student tour guide said the gulf between wealthy and financial-aid kids was problematic and was especially hard to deal with during the long, remote winters. So much to love about it, but DC worried about being happy there. We ended up crossing it off the list. Loved the feel of Pomona and the consortium, especially the opportunity to take classes at Mudd. DC not eager to go that far, and really not a warm-weather kid in general, but there wasn't anything about Pomona we didn't like.

Funny enough, our kid complains about how cold it is all the time. Definitely not a snow cold, but the desert night is very chilly.

It was hot when we visited.

[Anonymous]

depends what you want to study. there's a pipeline - hate to say it - from Williams to finance. For sure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Eph ‘03 here. Remember that reality happens and you might be too stressed/overworked to even take up a tutorial- they’ve improved, but before only 30ish% of students took up tutorial. It also can be extremely taxing not having anywhere to go. Williams is very isolated and as a woman of color growing into herself, I do think it was a bit of a detriment to be so far away from anything of interest.

The math department is very strong. One of Williams’ golden Children up there with Econ. I was an art history major which…had some support, not as much as those majors for sure. Seeing where my class went, if DC wants to be a researcher, head over to Pomona. Most of the math majors in my class ran straight to finance.

Very important consideration. You are likely to not take a tutorial, or not be prepared to take one. Williams is MUCH more pre professional and ivy-like culturally than Pomona, which is closer to Stanford.

I do think Williams is more ivy-like culturally than all of the other SLACS, for the better and for the worse. Its academics are incredibly impressive (there's a reason it's the perpetual #1), yes including the tutorials, but we also detected snobbishness in professors and students we didn't care for. Our student tour guide said the gulf between wealthy and financial-aid kids was problematic and was especially hard to deal with during the long, remote winters. So much to love about it, but DC worried about being happy there. We ended up crossing it off the list. Loved the feel of Pomona and the consortium, especially the opportunity to take classes at Mudd. DC not eager to go that far, and really not a warm-weather kid in general, but there wasn't anything about Pomona we didn't like.

Funny enough, our kid complains about how cold it is all the time. Definitely not a snow cold, but the desert night is very chilly.

It was hot when we visited.

It’s always gonna be warmer than Williams for sure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Eph ‘03 here. Remember that reality happens and you might be too stressed/overworked to even take up a tutorial- they’ve improved, but before only 30ish% of students took up tutorial. It also can be extremely taxing not having anywhere to go. Williams is very isolated and as a woman of color growing into herself, I do think it was a bit of a detriment to be so far away from anything of interest.

The math department is very strong. One of Williams’ golden Children up there with Econ. I was an art history major which…had some support, not as much as those majors for sure. Seeing where my class went, if DC wants to be a researcher, head over to Pomona. Most of the math majors in my class ran straight to finance.

Very important consideration. You are likely to not take a tutorial, or not be prepared to take one. Williams is MUCH more pre professional and ivy-like culturally than Pomona, which is closer to Stanford.

Half the kids decide to try a tutorial.

Yes we just toured. Half take one and if you take one, you're very likely to take more than one. Also, a common regret is not taking at least one.

That’s a pitch. Many students wish they hadn’t taken one at all. You do not understand the pressure of a tutorial, nor the preferences of students. You only gave information from fancy brochures.

I graduated from Oxford so I might have some idea? Anyway, the numbers are the numbers. Half the kids take one. And those who take one are more likely than not to take another.

And that has to do with Williams because…? Do you know how all math departments work if you graduate from math at Oxford? Exactly. Please be a bit less insistent on your credentials if they have nothing to do wirh our discussion.

you: You do not understand the pressure of a tutorial, nor the preferences of students. You only gave information from fancy brochures.
me: I graduated from Oxford so I might have some idea?

if you want to change this discussion to the math department at Williams when you were there (when 30% of kids did tutorials so I'm guessing at least 20 years ago now), then sure: please inform us and we will give this dated information the value it deserves.

Me…the alum. You know thank you, because I’m glad to know an Oxford alum is the leading scholar on Williams college and not people who’ve attended themselves. Ridiculous.

NP are you the academic coordinator?

[Anonymous]

I think Williams is more preppy/moderate and Pomona more diverse/woke. Kids will naturally be more drawn to one or the other depending on their personality. Williams was the only slac that appealed to my kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS got into both yesterday, and we are anxious to see which he picks. He's leaning heavily towards Pomona, but we want him closer at Williams. Nail biter for sure.

Trust me, doing that several hour drive from Boston in the ice and snow will not make Williams feel closer. Pomona has a much nicer vibe among profs and students, but look at the programs in his planned major to compare.

It’s 3.5 hours from Manhattan, door to door, we just drove it and were surprised how easy it was to get to.

Skiing is big at Williams, there is a slope about 20 minutes from campus that the school runs shuttles to and some kids even work ski patrol. I do think kids need to like winter.

I love Southern California but not the Inland empire.

I mean, that’s great and all, but mt baldy is even closer to the Claremont colleges- you’re literally on the foothills of the mountains. Both have ski and snowboard teams that are very active, so if your choice is skiing either will work. In general, outdoorsy things are going to win out at the Claremont colleges over Williams.

Have you been to Williams? Lots to love for an outdoorsy student.

I googled driving distance from Pomona college to Mt. Baldy ski resort and got back 30 minutes, which last I checked was longer than 20 minutes.

What’s with the snark? Also, yes I’ve been to Williams- I spent two years there as an academic coordinator. If you’re outdoorsy Southern California has so many more options- you’ve been before, let’s get real.

+10, it is a little silly someone is arguing Southern California is being beat by Williamstown Massachusetts for the outdoors. I've seen this a few times on this forum, and I think people are potentially only thinking of snow as "outdoorsy"

[Anonymous]

This thread makes both schools' parents seem really annoying and pestering.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS got into both yesterday, and we are anxious to see which he picks. He's leaning heavily towards Pomona, but we want him closer at Williams. Nail biter for sure.

Trust me, doing that several hour drive from Boston in the ice and snow will not make Williams feel closer. Pomona has a much nicer vibe among profs and students, but look at the programs in his planned major to compare.

It’s 3.5 hours from Manhattan, door to door, we just drove it and were surprised how easy it was to get to.

Skiing is big at Williams, there is a slope about 20 minutes from campus that the school runs shuttles to and some kids even work ski patrol. I do think kids need to like winter.

I love Southern California but not the Inland empire.

We ski at Jiminy most winters and actually stay in Williamstown - it is really easy. And the Vermont mountains (which are bigger) aren't too far. Williamstown is definitely a small, quiet town. The community at Williams is very tight, so it is key to make sure your child likes the other students. Athletes make up a big portion of the student body. Most of the kids I know now at Williams are very comfortable in their own skin, though I know a few major exceptions. They are really smart but not in your face about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Eph ‘03 here. Remember that reality happens and you might be too stressed/overworked to even take up a tutorial- they’ve improved, but before only 30ish% of students took up tutorial. It also can be extremely taxing not having anywhere to go. Williams is very isolated and as a woman of color growing into herself, I do think it was a bit of a detriment to be so far away from anything of interest.

The math department is very strong. One of Williams’ golden Children up there with Econ. I was an art history major which…had some support, not as much as those majors for sure. Seeing where my class went, if DC wants to be a researcher, head over to Pomona. Most of the math majors in my class ran straight to finance.

Very important consideration. You are likely to not take a tutorial, or not be prepared to take one. Williams is MUCH more pre professional and ivy-like culturally than Pomona, which is closer to Stanford.

Its endowment is the reason it’s number one and the exact same reason that Amherst is number two.

The academics are great but they are not greater than Amherst, Swat, Bowdoin, Middlebury, Wellesley, Pomona, Haverford, Carleton, and likely several others. They are all uniformly superior to any other undergraduate academic environment and more alike than different.


I do think Williams is more ivy-like culturally than all of the other SLACS, for the better and for the worse. Its academics are incredibly impressive (there's a reason it's the perpetual #1), yes including the tutorials, but we also detected snobbishness in professors and students we didn't care for. Our student tour guide said the gulf between wealthy and financial-aid kids was problematic and was especially hard to deal with during the long, remote winters. So much to love about it, but DC worried about being happy there. We ended up crossing it off the list. Loved the feel of Pomona and the consortium, especially the opportunity to take classes at Mudd. DC not eager to go that far, and really not a warm-weather kid in general, but there wasn't anything about Pomona we didn't like.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Eph ‘03 here. Remember that reality happens and you might be too stressed/overworked to even take up a tutorial- they’ve improved, but before only 30ish% of students took up tutorial. It also can be extremely taxing not having anywhere to go. Williams is very isolated and as a woman of color growing into herself, I do think it was a bit of a detriment to be so far away from anything of interest.

The math department is very strong. One of Williams’ golden Children up there with Econ. I was an art history major which…had some support, not as much as those majors for sure. Seeing where my class went, if DC wants to be a researcher, head over to Pomona. Most of the math majors in my class ran straight to finance.

Very important consideration. You are likely to not take a tutorial, or not be prepared to take one. Williams is MUCH more pre professional and ivy-like culturally than Pomona, which is closer to Stanford.

I do think Williams is more ivy-like culturally than all of the other SLACS, for the better and for the worse. Its academics are incredibly impressive (there's a reason it's the perpetual #1), yes including the tutorials, but we also detected snobbishness in professors and students we didn't care for. Our student tour guide said the gulf between wealthy and financial-aid kids was problematic and was especially hard to deal with during the long, remote winters. So much to love about it, but DC worried about being happy there. We ended up crossing it off the list. Loved the feel of Pomona and the consortium, especially the opportunity to take classes at Mudd. DC not eager to go that far, and really not a warm-weather kid in general, but there wasn't anything about Pomona we didn't like.

Its endowment is the reason it’s number one and the exact same reason that Amherst is number two.

The academics are great but they are not greater than Amherst, Swat, Bowdoin, Middlebury, Wellesley, Pomona, Haverford, Carleton, and likely several others. They are all uniformly superior to any other undergraduate academic environment and more alike than different.